Clutch Loss (Warriors 94, Grizzlies 98)

The Warriors gave everyone — well, at least those rooting for the team’s draft chances — a scare Tuesday night in Memphis. Up by 12 early in the fourth quarter, the Warriors looked primed for an upset with a potent combination of hot shooting, aggressive defense and sharp ball movement. But then, like the swallows returning to San Juan Capistrano, the Warriors’ fourth quarter collapse against the Grizzlies arrived. Memphis deserves full credit for being able to turn it on when it mattered — they took this game from the Warriors with aggressive, well-executed play at both ends of the court. As with recent contests, the Warriors once again found a way to secure a satisfying, significant loss.

Cross your fingers and knock on wood, but the Warriors — with their clutch loss — have now won only one more game than the team holding the NBA’s fifth worse record. I’d be lying it I said the Warriors’ recent six game losing streak wasn’t oddly satisfying. I’ve gone into each of these games hoping for a well-played defeat and — with the exception of the New Orleans game, which had to be poorly played to be lost — seen the team deliver. It’s an unfamiliar experience to watch the end-of-season standings as a Warriors fan and be excited by the results. That uneasy feeling I used to get in my stomach earlier this season when the Warriors would carry fragile leads into the fourth quarter has been replaced by a calm confidence that this team will find a way to lose. They have, and Tuesday night was no exception. These are still the Warriors — capable of failing to deliver, even when what’s ordered is a loss — so it’s possible the streak of meaningless wins will still come, costing the team its draft pick. But for now, the streak continues — and I continue to try to make peace with this uncomfortable sense of winning I feel each time the team finds a way to lose.

Away from the standings and on the court, there were at least two reasons to be heartened by the Warriors’ efforts:

Jeremy Tyler played the game of his career. Logging real minutes against an elite center, Tyler stayed out of foul trouble, cleared the glass, held his own on defense and made a few nice offensive moves. As with Thompson and Jenkins before him, it’s exhilarating to watch these moments when young players start gaining confidence and playing within the flow of the game. For some rookies, it’s a question of slowing down a rushed game, so they don’t make hurried mistakes. With Tyler, it’s been the opposite — he’s needed to accelerate to NBA speed and bulk up to NBA strength. He still has a long way to go, but his moves at both ends of the court are much more decisive than they were even two weeks ago. He’s not shying away from contact and — despite being physically overmatched nearly every night — fighting his way into meaningful contributions. My head still spins a bit at the prospect of the Warriors both developing young players and securing a better draft position with these final meaningless games. It’s sad that the biggest sign of the Warriors’ culture change so far is in how this team loses, but it’s a positive sign nonetheless.

David Lee gutted out another quality performance. Despite all the tank-narrative driving these game stories, there’s almost no evidence that Lee is playing at anything less than 100% effort through these games. His passes and slashes to the basket were outstanding against Memphis, and he worked hard the entire night despite a purported stomach issue. Lee’s big games alone aren’t enough to get this team over the hump most nights, but his consistency and positive effort despite the circumstances sets a good tone for the younger players on this team. Lee is playing the right way — with focus, and within the team plan — despite the fact that there’s nothing left but pride and draft picks at stake.

The Warriors’ losing streak faces its biggest test since the New Orleans game Wednesday night in Minnesota. Can the struggling Wolves find a way to regain momentum against a losing, but not-yet-surrendering Warriors squad? For the sake of our draft chances, hopefully the back-to-back game will take its toll on the Warriors’ energy level and the Wolves will get up for one of their few clearly winnable games. C’mon Warriors, don’t fail me now by avoiding failure.

Lacob is starting to again furiously make the throat cutting sign in MJ’s direction.

nelliesbiggestfan

mopedelic

I can tell that you are uncomfortable with this. the topic is tanking and you didn’t address it at all in your post. Are you for it or are you against it ?

If you don’t want lecturing on morality on this blog, where were you when poster after poster was lecturing us about nellie’s supposed ethical lapses ? or don’t you remember that ?

anyway I will stop “lecturing’ long enough to ask a question of you and others on the blog. Since it isn’t just the warriors who have a vested interest in tanking what do you think a game would be like if both teams wanted to lose ?

let’s say the w’s play the kings later this season and both teams want to lose, would it really be right to charge admission for such a game ?

this is incredibly selfish behavior and really bad for the game of basketball.

nelliesbiggestfan

so bry is taking this to a new level. He wants the coach and I assume the GM and ownership to be in on the tanking. do you guys agree with that ?

you must know that if every non-playoff team did this that it would completely ruin the regular season after the all star break. I guess that’s ok with all of you. Or maybe you just think tanking is ok for the warriors and not anybody else.

can someone explain this to me.

Eric

Jenkins is looking damn good fellas….

bryhsiao

NBF you are a tool.

Again, you are not a Warriors Fan and you have no place and no credential to judge anything.
Just like you urged us to not judge Nellie because we did not even coach a game in the NBA.

You even admitted before that you are NOT a Warriors fan. Therefore you are not qualified to talk anything about fandom.

Now F off.

bryhsiao

Sartre lol

Now AB is back in. IMO we need DW back in as well.
7 points deficit with 7 mins to go. Wolves you can do it!!

Eric

I just cant root to lose? Maybe you guys can? No judgements, I just can’t do it….

Our Team

I didn’t know if I could root for my team to lose but I’ve learned under these circumstances I can do it. Passionately.

Eric

JENKINS!!!!

Our Team

Beautiful drive and score by Jenkins. Darn.

sartre

If the dubs are going to win it is great seeing Jenkins perform so impressively in the clutch.

Slimman

Really? Jenkins looked great. I can’t believe how much every member of the TWolves not named Kevin Love sucks royally.

Wow! The Minnesota Timberwolves truly suck to lose at home to a tanking team. I’m truly disgusted!

JT

Minnesota is terrible!!!!

nelliesbiggestfan

Go warriors !!!!!!! the kids were really thriving tonight.

if jackson is in on the tank , he isn’t very good at it. He played Lee 42 minutes when he’s playing great. BTW is anyone on this board still against the Lee trade ? , how about you bry ?

I hope you guys get more POd at jackson than you did at nellie when he refused to tank. The stakes are much higher now. Then it was just draft postition, now you could lose the pick entirely. Is jackson being selfish ?

bryhsiao

Nbf
Dude, we were not mad at Nellie just because he wouldnt tank.
His refusal of playing the youngsters was the most hated crime out of many.

I like Mark Jack a lot more than Nellie because tonight he kept 3 rookies in the forth and in the end game.

We are happy that MJack is a huge upgrade than Nellie at least in this department.
Your Shiety attempt to lump Nellie and MarkJack is stupid and illogical.

murinur

“and with that post I bid this board farewell forever. pressing business and waning interest in this exercise are combining to tell me it’s time to go and leave the discussions to you guys”

So totally full of shit with zero credibility…..

Over a dozen posts today to scroll through, all I assume telling everybody how hypocritical they are!

Wanker just like his namesake.

sartre

The Nets are putting up a fight against the Blazers but without Williams they’ll probably fall short.

deano

It is great to see the Warriors’ ongoing efforts be rewarded with a win. Tonight’s result will give the team some enjoyment and energy. I am happy for the players, especially Lee and Jenkins. Charles made a tough, free lance game winning shot. That has got to be good for his development, good for GSW’s future. After tonight, it will be back to the losses and Lottery watch; but for tonight, the team can authentically celebrate.

strategicselfimpairment

Scroll the troll ignore the bore… go back to defending the neocon bu**sh*t. Go watch Fox nws and get all your “FACTS” there. Nellie suc*ed while he was here the last 3 years now so go sit on it.

bad cop no donut

com on boys just don’t respond anymore
I’ll be the first

Mopedelic

Uncomfortable? Right! All I want to say is that we do not need another preacher, the warriors already have one.

I will comment on what I want when I want. I do not need you to tell me what is a worthy cause and what is not. And yes, I find you annoying most of the time, even though I agreed with many of the observations you made in the past.

People do not come to specifically read what you have to say about the warriors, small ball or a particular coach. People come here to share observations on a team they have the unhealthy habit to follow and support. If you need regular positive reinforcement, I am sure there are websites or professionals that can help you with that.

bryhsiao

Mopedelic
Wonderful post to knock his illogical behind down a notch.

He likes to stir the pot to remind everyone how big a jackarse he is.

Symptoms of a troll:
instantly on his first post, point at everyone on this board and call them out.